Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The three largest oil firms and an independent oil company on Tuesday said they will carry out another round of price rollback for their petroleum products. The "Big 3" - Petron Corporation, Pilipinas Shell, and Chevron Phil. Inc.,- said they will slash their diesel and kerosene prices by P0.50. SeaOil Philippines, meanwhile, said it will match the move of other companies by slashing its kerosene prices by P0.50. The price adjustment will take effect 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

Sixteen aspiring overseas Filipino workers from far-flung provinces were rescued by members of the Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment (TFAIR) from a house of a suspected illegal recruiter in San Mateo, Rizal last week.

A Philippine senator who is visiting the "Land Down Under" urged the Australian government to look into the possibility of allowing more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) entry into the country amid the global economic crisis.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday issued a hold departure order against Jesus Martinez, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) official implicated in the irregularities surrounding Legacy Consolidated Plans Inc. (LCPI).

President Arroyo on Tuesday ordered the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission to conduct a lifestyle check on Securities and Exchange Commissioner Jesus Martinez Jr. and his family following allegations that he gave protection to a preneed firm that he was investigating.

The Ford Expedition vehicle that the embattled founder of the Legacy Group of Companies allegedly bought from the son of the Securities and Exchange official who has been linked to the controversy was "surrendered" to the office of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles will not initiate moves to have Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita probed for allegedly receiving P1.8 million in "consultancy fee" from the beleaguered Legacy Consolidated Plans Inc. (LCPI).

THE Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) advised banks, through the Cebu Bankers' Club, to watch out for people bringing large amounts of coins for conversion into bills. CCPO Chief Patrocinio Comendador said there is a great chance these people may be among the eight armed men who pretended to be a team of police operatives responding to an indiscriminate firing alarm, then robbed the General Maxilom Ave. branch of Fooda Savers Mart at 12:20 a.m. Monday. They took some P100,000 in loose change, and it's probable they will bring these to a bank for conversion.

THE Supreme Court has ordered a Cebu City Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge fined for drawing his firearm and placing it on his table during an argument with a lawyer while in court session. But the High Tribunal also admonished Antonio Cañeda, the lawyer Judge Eric Menchavez argued with, saying Cañeda should always be "mindful of the respect due to the court" and to avoid "actions bordering on disrespect."

The military wants Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari to continue working for the release of three workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who continue to be held hostage in Sulu close to two months after they were kidnapped.

A lawyers' group called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to order the relief of police and military officers in Davao for the death of a daughter of a New People's Army commander, saying it was not enough that she condemned the murder of Rebelyn Pitao.

Paramilitary police and soldiers swarmed cities and villages in Tibet and restive western China on Tuesday, on the alert for possible unrest on the 50th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule. The Dalai Lama said Tibet had become "hell on earth" under Beijing's control.

In a clear rebuke to his White House predecessor, President Barack Obama declared he will not allow politics to taint science and signed an executive order to allow funding of broader research into stem cells.

The absence of Freddie Roach will not force Manny Pacquiao to slow down in his training for the May 2 showdown with Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas. Roach left Los Angeles for England to be in the corner of Amir Khan who faces Marco Antonio Barrera on March 14 at the MEN Arena.

After training over three weeks in Baguio City together, WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa and IBF flyweight titleholder Nonito Donaire Jr. will go separate ways in preparing for the fights of their lives.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose Cojuangco Jr. has called on Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA) head Mark Joseph to explain the P29 million financial assistance extended to him by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

The remains of Francis Magalona, who died last March 6, were scheduled to be cremated at 1:30 this morning at the Funeraria Paz after a Mass and eulogy last night at the Christ The King Chapels where the wake was held.